Harlequins fly-half Nick Evans has committed himself to the Premiership champions for a further three years until the end of the 2015/16 season.

The former Otago and North Harbour playmaker has been in discussions with the club for a number of months, while French and Japanese sides tried to tempt him away from south-west London. He is a firm favourite with the Twickenham Stoop faithful and was voted Rugby Players' Association Player of Year last season.

"There is not a player, supporter or coach in the game in England, let alone Harlequins, who will not be delighted that Nick Evans has agreed to stay with us for another three years," said Harlequins director of rugby Conor O'Shea. "The Aviva Premiership wants the best players playing in it and Nick is one of the very best. We have started something here and Nick wants to see it through. His decision to stay is a great early Christmas present for all Harlequins supporters."

The 32-year-old Evans joined Harlequins in 2008 from Otago and has subsequently made 106 appearances for the club and has scored 1,184 points including 16 tries. He won 16 caps for New Zealand after making his debut against England in 2004 and appeared at the 2007 World Cup.

"I'm looking forward to continuing to play with a great bunch of lads and to working with a special coaching staff," Evans said. "There is no limit to what this team can achieve and I am excited to have an influence both on and off the field. "My decision was made easy by the ambition of this great club, the success we have had and the hunger to want more."